Denarius of Q. Caecilius Q.f. L.n. Metellus Pius, Uncertain Mint, North Italy c. 81 BCE

Curator: This is a denarius, a Roman coin, minted by Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius. It is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? Small, but with a certain gravitas. The wear and tear speaks to its journey through time. Curator: Absolutely. The coin was struck in northern Italy by Metellus Pius to pay his soldiers during the war against Sertorius. The portrait on one side is Roma, a female representation of the Roman state. Editor: So, this image of Roma functioned as state-sponsored propaganda, reminding soldiers what they were fighting for. Even the laurel wreath is political. Curator: Precisely. It represents victory. Coins such as this played a crucial role in disseminating imagery and messages throughout the Republic. Editor: Looking at it through a contemporary lens, it prompts us to think about the power dynamics embedded in something as seemingly innocuous as currency. Curator: Indeed, the image of Roma and the laurel wreath became potent signifiers of Roman power and ambition. It's quite a story, encapsulated in this tiny object. Editor: Exactly, it makes me consider how even today, everyday objects contribute to the shaping of history.